DWI Court

The Fourth Judicial District Court and Hennepin County implemented DWI Court in 2007, with the mission to increase public safety and reduce the number of alcohol related traffic deaths and injuries by effectively partnering our justice system and community resources to focus on the specific issues of repeat DWI offenders. DWI Court is a voluntary, minimum 18-month, post-conviction program involving the coordinated efforts of the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, law enforcement, social services, probation, treatment specialists, and victim advocates to quickly identify and intervene in order to break the cycle of chemical dependency and drunk driving.

Eligibility

Hennepin County resident

Must be 18 years of age or older

Gross Misdemeanor or first-time Felony level charge

Hennepin County arrest and charged

Diagnosis of substance abuse or chemical dependency

Must complete an orientation and screening, voluntarily agree to participate in the program, and be approved by the DWI Court team

The judge is the central figure in a team effort to keep participants engaged in treatment, to reward progress for meeting goals and to sanction noncompliant behavior. DWI Court participants receive ongoing judicial supervision from the court, are placed under intensive community supervision, undergo frequent drug testing and engage in long-term chemical dependency treatment. In addition, DWI Court assists participants in enhancing life-skills which may include such services as: job training, education, family counseling, etc. DWI Court encourages participants to take control of their own recovery, but it also has clear and definite requirements which if broken are swiftly dealt with by the judge